Justice News

Shreveport man found guilty for role in check fraud scheme that resulted in nearly $200,000 stolen

SHREVEPORT, La. – A federal jury found Carlos A. Spann guilty Thursday night for his role in a fraudulent check scheme resulting in the theft of nearly $200,000, U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph announced. The jury deliberated for approximately one hour before finding Spann guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud and two counts of wire fraud.

Evidence admitted at trial showed that Spann, 41, Phelix K. Williams, 28, and Anthony E. Johnson, 23, all of Shreveport, conspired to cash counterfeit checks using fraudulent identities at banks and retail establishments throughout Louisiana. During the conspiracy, the co-defendants negotiated more than 100 counterfeit checks resulting in nearly $200,000 in illegally obtained proceeds.

United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. presided over the trial that started Monday and ended Thursday. Hicks set Spann’s sentencing for May 23, 2019.

Johnson pleaded guilty on January 17, 2019 to one count of conspiracy and two counts of bank fraud. Johnson is scheduled to be sentenced May 1, 2019. Williams pleaded guilty Monday to one count of conspiracy, 12 counts of bank fraud and two counts of wire fraud. Williams is scheduled to be sentenced May 30, 2019. The defendants face up to 30 years in prison, five years supervised release and a $1 million fine.

The U.S. Secret Service conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany Fields and First Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook prosecuted the case.